The car you want your ex-boss to see you driving

A lesson in the art of executive luxury

The automotive luxury game is a complex, high stakes affair. Modern carmaking mandates that all luxury models be larger yet lighter, faster yet more efficient than their predecessors. And they must do all this while having the CO2 emissions of an undernourished gerbil. Which means smaller engines, too.

So, when Mercedes-Benz comes out with a new version of its luxury flagship, it’s got the undivided attention of every luxury carmaker in the world. Mostly because Merc’s been a pack leader of sorts when it comes to innovations in the business. Many safety features, considered standard fare today, can trace their origins to the three-pointed star: anti-lock braking systems, crumple zones, the Electronic Stability Program.

Does this new, fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB break new ground, then? Not quite. But that doesn’t make it any less of a technological statement. What the E-Class does manage to do is further blur the line between the S-Class and itself. To start, Mercedes has chosen to bring in the long-wheelbase (LWB) version instead of the standard one, separating it from its competition in a single move.

In order to assess the upgrades on this car, it’s important to investigate the core ethos of the E-Class brand. You see, mid-segment, premium luxury cars tend to be the real workhorses of the pack. With an S-Class, one has carte blanche to throw in enough luxury to overwhelm even the most discerning of tycoons. But with a mid-fielder, you’re forced to trim the fat a bit. What you need here is sublime luxury with a touch of austerity. It’s temperance of this kind that makes cars like the E-Class far more interesting than the sinfully indulgent uber-chariots that lie at the very top of the spectrum. It suggests that you like luxury – but you’d prefer to earn it rather than inherit it.

In flesh, the E-Class cuts a handsome figure, with all the signifiers that herald the presence of a powerful, cutting-edge German sedan. Despite looking like a cross between the S- and C-Class, it manages to retain the stately architecture that’s been a trademark of its design, and isn’t quite as extravagant as the S-Class. Compared to the previous model, its frame has softer edges and, thanks to the extensive use of aluminium, is much lighter. Not that the average E-Class owner will really experience its corner-carving capacity, since the long-wheelbase model will most likely be experienced from the back seat. A shame, because the 350d V6 turbo-diesel is a hoot to drive, more so because it’s mated with an incredibly seamless 9-speed gearbox.

Amazingly enough, the fifth-generation E-Class’ interior has a ‘gloved hand of god’ feel to it that marks a significant leap for the brand. You’ve got enough legroom to indulge in mild gymnastics, seats that recline electronically and a disarmingly soft pillow against the headrest, the contents of which are a closely guarded R&D secret – if I had to hazard a guess, it’d be a mix of treacle, baby owl feathers and dew. Whatever it is, its ability to un-crease your brow is second to none. Up in the front, you get a black and beige dash, with a 12.3-inch display screen that’s more hi-res than the average smartphone but, annoyingly enough, doesn’t pack touchscreen technology – instead, you operate the controls through a slick touch-pad mounted next to the seat.

Make no mistake, this is a large car – larger in profile than its predecessor. And yet, it manages to feel deceptively light and compact when in motion. Although the new four-pot diesel engine isn’t available in India yet, the old 350d V6 turbo-diesel still feels rightly appointed for the job. After announcing its presence during the initial stages of acceleration, it settles into a rhythmic quietude that’s interrupted only when you dab the throttle – at which point the speedometer will register a higher number, without the car losing its composure. It’s a necessary component of a luxury sedan’s driving dynamics, since it’s ideal to not alert well-heeled passengers of the sudden kinetic leap.

It’s evident that Mercedes-Benz has thrown everything it knows into its latest venture. The new E-Class is an insulated and well-cushioned ergonomic cocoon that features the best that series-production automotive technology has to offer. Its interiors appear to have been field-tested by a 16th-century Tsar, so everything is within reach. The LWB version is only sold in the Indian and Chinese market. And all the better, since it makes the car an even greater value proposition (especially with a price tag of ₹69.47 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi).

If this is a bridge to even greater forms of automotive luxury, it’s a bridge you don’t mind treading for an indefinite length of time.